The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacist and Dentist Union (KMPDU) has issued doctors strike notices for six counties starting on December 7th.
The union has listed several reasons as to why they have opted to go on strike. Most of which claim salary increment, rights implementation and other violations by their various county employers.
KMPDU Secretary General, Davji Atellah said that some counties have even started their doctors strike due to frustrations. Like Vihiga county where doctors downed their tools last week due to lack of promotions in their professions. This has led to frustrations on the doctors and are unable to discharge their duties effectively.
“Doctors in Vihiga have been on strike since last week and their strike will continue until their demands are implemented.”
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The secretary also hinted a possible nationwide strike with other counties set to commence theirs on December 7th (Thursday).
Other counties like Kilifi have issued a notice to the County Government to commence thei strike on December 18th if their demands are not met by then. However, Nakuru is on labour action this month.
“Nakuru County Government seems to be into ego play than resolving the issues that doctors are presenting, while the County Public Service Board is not interested in ensuring that medical services are offered. Medics will go on strike between December 17 and 20 after a court case pitting them and Nakuru County is mentioned on December 13..
Other counties that have their strike planned are Embu county, where they say that the doctors are not being supported, capacitated and provided with the required tools.
Speaking about the Housing Levy which was declared unconstitutional, the Secretary General said that their members are demanding an immediate refund.
“The officials have discussed in detail the daylight robbery that the government has started on members’ salaries such as the housing levy which is unconstitutional. As the KMPDU National Advisory Council, we are demanding that the county and the national governments urgently refund the deductions that had already been done.”
Therefore, Atellah said that the doctors through the KMPDU are demanding a 40% salary increment to all doctors to beat the high cost of living.